The One Cake bakery opening in Bethesda

The One Cake bakery is coming soon to the Shoppes of Bethesda. It will be located at 4914 Hampden Lane, where the former Tako Grill space is now being subdivided into two, with the other half soon to occupied by Sushi Masato. This appears to be a local small business as opposed to a chain.

Sushi Masato opening in Bethesda

Sushi Masato is coming soon to downtown Bethesda. It has leased the former Tako Grill space at 4914 Hampden Lane at the Shoppes of Bethesda. Tako Grill closed last December, but the spot will now remain home to a Japanese restaurant. Operating hours for Sushi Masato will be 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM Tuesday through Thursday and Sundays, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM Fridays and Saturdays, and closed on Mondays.

"Sushi Masato is a modern Japanese restaurant featuring fresh sushi, sashimi, and handcrafted rolls, along with a unique selection of premium cakes and desserts," the restaurant said in a promotional statement. "We focus on high-quality ingredients, creative presentation, and a welcoming dining experience. Whether you’re dining in or ordering takeout, Sushi Masato is the perfect spot for both savory and sweet cravings." Sushi Masato has a Montgomery County liquor license hearing scheduled for May 21, 2026 at 11:30 AM.

Sugared + Bronzed opening in Bethesda

Sugared + Bronzed is coming soon to 4939 Elm Street, in the Shoppes of Bethesda. The hair removal and spray tan salon will fill the space vacated by Chip City. What started in a Santa Monica apartment in 2010 has grown into a nationwide chain with celebrity endorsers and over 40 locations. 

"S+B is a one-stop shop to prepare for any vacation, wedding, red carpet event — or to simply feel like your best self," the company says on its website. "We’re extremely passionate about providing exceptional services in beautiful, upbeat, and welcoming spaces that make your appointment something to look forward to. No matter the occasion, S+B promises that you’ll leave with immaculately smooth skin and a natural faux glow."

Chip City closes in Bethesda (Photos)

Chip City has closed at 4939 Elm Street at the Shoppes of Bethesda. It is the first cookie to crumble in the cookie wars among neighbor Levain Bakery and deliveries from Crumbl Cookies. Chip City lasted just over two years, and had expanded to offer late night hours this past summer. A message posted in the window yesterday evening directed customers to their Tysons location.

Tako Grill closes in Bethesda

Tako Grill has closed at 4914 Hampden Lane at the Shoppes of Bethesda. The sushi restaurant had a successful ten-year run after moving to the Shoppes in 2015. An unidentified restaurant space at the property had recently been put on the market for lease, and now it's clear which space it is. "We are deeply grateful to our community for your loyalty and support over the years," Tako Grill said in a message to customers posted in the window. "It has been an honor to serve you."

Velatis Caramels opens in Bethesda

Velatis Caramels has opened at 4928 Hampden Lane at the Shoppes of Bethesda. The 159-year-old candy business was previously a fixture in Silver Spring. Before that, it was in Washington, D.C., and started off in Richmond before the Civil War. Velatis closed the Silver Spring store in April, and has now completed the move to downtown Bethesda. It still needs a sign above the storefront, though. "Underwraps?"

Chip City open later on Friday, Saturday nights in Bethesda

Chip City at 4939 Elm Street in Bethesda has extended its hours on Friday and Saturday nights. "Open late tonight for your late night cravings," a sign in the window announces. On those evenings, the cookie shop will now be open until 10:00 PM. In downtown Bethesda, where the streets are dead by 9:00 PM since the Montgomery County Council tanked the "nighttime economy," that qualifies as "late." Chip City is located at The Shoppes of Bethesda.

Velatis Caramels moving to downtown Bethesda

Velatis Caramels is coming to downtown Bethesda. Famous for its Old World Italian caramels, the company has been making confectionary treats in the Washington, D.C. area since 1866. Currently located at 8408 Georgia Avenue, it will soon relocate to its new home at 4928 Hampden Lane, in the Shoppes of Bethesda. Some "coming soon" signage has been posted in the window of the storefront that most recently housed Underwraps.

Montgomery County liquor store broken into in downtown Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a burglar alarm at the Montgomery County Government-operated liquor store in downtown Bethesda early yesterday morning, October 30, 2024. The alarm was triggered at Montgomery County Liquor & Wine at 4920 Hampden Lane at the Shoppes of Bethesda at 4:20 AM Wednesday. Officers responding to the scene found evidence of forced entry at the store. A nearby restaurant in the 4700 block of Bethesda Avenue was broken into 45 minutes later.

Teazzi Tea Shop opens in Bethesda

Teazzi Tea Shop has opened at 4941 Elm Street, at the Shoppes of Bethesda. This is the Taiwanese tea chain's first location in the DMV.  Tea selections at Teazzi include Four Seasons Oolong, Golden Oolong, Amber Oolong, Deep Roast Oolong, Dark Roast Black Tea, and Jasmine Green Tea. Menu options include milk tea, fruit tea, floam, tea lattes, and Teazzi's signature (but optional) topping of oats. Operating hours at the store are 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM, seven days a week.

Underwraps closing in Bethesda

Underwraps is closing at 4928 Hampden Lane at the Shoppes of Bethesda. A closing sale is in progress at the lingerie boutique. Savings are up to 50%-off. Hurry, because their last day is tomorrow, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, according to a sign in the window. 

Signage installed at Teazzi in Bethesda

The sign is up at Teazzi Tea Shop, opening soon at 4941 Elm Street, at the Shoppes of Bethesda. Last night, the sign was already lit. This will be the Taiwanese chain's first store in the Washington, D.C. region. Look for Teazzi between Dunkin' Donuts and Chip City.

Pink Chicken New York opens in Bethesda

Pink Chicken New York has opened at 4925 Elm Street, at the Shoppes of Bethesda. This is the first Washington, D.C.-area location for the fashion label that celebrates mothers and daughters, and promotes durability and sustainability in an age of fast fashion. The block print mural created for the store is by Vermont artist Anne Meredith. Initial operating hours for this location are 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sundays.

Pink Chicken New York opening in Bethesda

Pink Chicken New York is opening a Bethesda location at 4925 Elm Street, at the Shoppes of Bethesda. Signage has been installed over the storefront, which was recently vacated by Claire de Lune. Pink Chicken sells vintage-inspired apparel for women and children. It's the latest arrival in the Gotham-to-Bethesda pipeline that has brought many NYC brands to the area in recent years, and from Levain Bakery to Tacombi, they've generally done extraordinarily well. Employees were stocking the store last night, and it appears just about ready to open.

Founded by Stacey Fraser, Pink Chicken celebrates the relationship between mothers and daughters. With a focus on sustainability, the clothing is designed to last so that pieces can be handed down from one child in the family to the next. Excess inventory is donated to clothing banks. 

This will be Pink Chicken's first Washington, D.C.-area location. The brand has boutiques in the Hamptons, Raleigh, Charleston, and Santa Monica, in addition to its namesake Big Apple locations. We'll soon find out if the latest arrival from the City That Never Sleeps also does well in the Town That Goes To Bed At 9:30.

 

Update on Rowan piercing studio, opening soon in Bethesda (Photos)

The sign is up, and the window coverings are down, at Rowan. A piercing studio where all procedures are safely conducted by licensed nurses, Rowan is located at 4919 Elm Street in the Shoppes of Bethesda. Everything looks ready to go inside, but a sign on the door and a message on the website state that they are not open yet. Rowan will open a second Maryland location soon in Annapolis, as well.

Teazzi Tea Shop to open first DMV-area location in Bethesda

Teazzi Tea Shop, a Taiwanese tea chain, will open its first store in the Washington, D.C. region right here in Bethesda. It will be at 4941 Elm Street, in the Shoppes of Bethesda. Teazzi currently has 4 New York City-area shops, as well as locations in Boston, Philadelphia, Jersey City, Sunnyvale (California), and Las Vegas. The company has franchisees gearing up to open in Seattle and San Gabriel (California), and in a second Boston location. 

Tea selections at Teazzi include Four Seasons Oolong, Golden Oolong, Amber Oolong, Deep Roast Oolong, Dark Roast Black Tea, and Jasmine Green Tea. Menu options include milk tea, fruit tea, floam, tea lattes, and Teazzi's signature (but optional) topping of oats. Construction on the Bethesda shop will commence in the coming weeks.

Photo courtesy Teazzi Tea Shop

Armed robbery at AT&T Store in Bethesda

Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating a suspect in connection with the robbery of an AT&T Store last month in downtown Bethesda. On December 6, 2023 around 6:30 PM, the suspect entered the store at 4957 Elm Street. He asked about purchasing an iPhone 15 Pro Max, and allegedly may have furnished a false ID card to the store employee. 

When the employee brought out the requested phone, the suspect allegedly implied that he had a firearm in his jacket pocket, and would not be paying for the device. The employee handed the phone to the suspect, who fled the scene on foot. 

The suspect is described as a Black male, "hair styled in twists," wearing sunglasses and a black and blue coat. Anyone with information regarding this suspect or this crime is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org (http://www.crimesolversmcmd.org/) and click on the “www.p3tips.com (http://www.p3tips.com/)” link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-8477. A reward of up to $10,000 is offered for information leading to the suspect's arrest. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Claire de Lune Sleepwear closes in Bethesda

Claire de Lune Sleepwear has closed at 4925 Elm Street, at the Shoppes of Bethesda. The windows have been papered over with holiday snowflake coverings. We often hear about people wearing pajamas during business hours in this working-from-home era. Apparently that sleepwear isn't from the Claire de Lune brand, judging from the boutique's very short run in Bethesda. Lasting only one year, this enterprise that promised dreamy evening wear instead turned out to be a nightmare on Elm Street.

Chip City Bethesda construction update (Photos)

Chip City is scheduled to open November 3, 2023 at 4939 Elm Street at the Shoppes of Bethesda next week. Here's a look at the final days of construction inside the future cookie bakery shop. A neon logo sign and images of the Chip City mascot now grace the walls of the former Fancy Cakes by Leslie space. Operating hours are now posted on the door. Sorry, Garfield - - service animals only!

Sidewalk repairs (and closures) expand to Elm Street in Bethesda (Photos)

Pedestrians beware: the sidewalk closures for repairs have expanded across town to the Bethesda Row/Shoppes of Bethesda area on Elm Street. There are several closures on the Shoppes of Bethesda side of Elm Street between Arlington Road and Woodmont Avenue. Unlike the closures on St. Elmo Avenue, where pedestrians are entering the roadway to get down the street, the sidewalk on the Bethesda Row side of the street remains open.